Abstract Crimewave deliver an enchanting musical adventure on The Longest Night. Indie pop of the highest order from a duo of Swedish masters.

Released: October 4th 2024

Label: Chimp Limbs

Format: CD / Vinyl / Digital

SMILE

Abstract Crimewave (formerly Smile – but changed due to Yorke and Greenwood muscling in) is not a new band. Joakim Åhlund and Bjorn Yttling have been making music together for over a decade. Following on from Phantom Island in 2022 and their debut, 2012’s A Flash in the Night, The Longest Night, is the duo’s third album.

Åhlund is a legend of the Swedish underground, having played in a number of bands including Teddybears, Caesars and Les Big Byrd. He has also written for and produced the likes of Robyn, Charli XCX and Giorgio Moroder. Yttling, too, has a vastly impressive resume; he is the Bjorn in Stockholm indie pop stalwarts Peter Bjorn and John, and has produced and written for Lykke Li, Primal Scream and Neko case, among others.

COLLABORATORS

With the context of the band given, it is unsurprising that there are several special guests on The Longest Night.

Special guest feels like an understatement when you mention Chrissie Hynde. Her vocal on the title track is delivered with her trademark tone. Atop the briskly paced music, it is a lovely piece of music that is hypnotic with it’s chiming melody. Hynde’s debut solo album, Stockholm, was written and produced with Joakim Åhlund and Bjorn Yttling. Not a bad favour to call in!

Fellow Swede, Lykke Li guests on The Gambler. As you’d expect from a duo rich with musical experience, The Gambler is refreshingly poppy, whilst still retaining an edge that enchants. Lykke Li’s vocal is sultry.

To complete a trio of guests, Swedish band Dungen (specifically Gustav Ejstes) add vocals and flute to Flyga Fram. The harmonies are dreamlike and like the Swedish title suggests (according to this writers brief translation) the music flies. Evoking feelings of brightness and light, this song is a standout on the record.

ABSTRACT CRIMEWAVE

Although Abstract Crimewave have a bevvy of talent to call upon to come and play with them, it is the essence of the pair that make the album what it is.

Heading Out is a breezy opener that has a low key hummed melody next to an irresistible indie pop sound. It is quirky and lo-fi without being overly sweet. It whets the appetite for the short and sweet trip you are about to embark on.

Said trip lasts around 26 minutes, give or take. It is a streamlined album that cuts away any fat. This is a lean record that begs to be listened to. Sailing Away is another cut that showcases the duo and their clear talent for writing catchy indie pop songs. The Lighthouse beguiles with more sumptuous harmonies to get stuck into as it builds hypnotically to something more dense than other parts of the albums. They sail very close to Wooden Shjips territory.

Stretching out a little, the instrumental Dämba Träsk has an eccentric feel to it. Some of the electronic squiggles that adorn the middle of the track hark back to Super Furry Animals in their late 90’s pomp. Album closer, Dödmansgrepp, is a brilliant ending. The pulsing melody rises and falls showcasing the sonic world that Abstract Crimewave seek to create.

The Longest Night is soaked in positivity and light. It strives to live on a higher plain. The dreamlike melodies and harmonies that are interspersed between the light rhythms and guitars are magical. Abstract Crimewave are worth every ounce of praise for this excellent record.

Listen to The Longest Night with Chrissie Hynde, below.

Abstract Crimewave: All Links

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